AT&T's Spectrum Acquisition: AT&T announced plans to purchase spectrum licenses for $23 billion in cash, aiming to enhance its wireless and fiber network capacity across the U.S.
Spectrum Details: The acquisition includes approximately 50 MHz of low-band and mid-band spectrum, which will support AT&T’s 5G deployment and expand home internet offerings.
Financial Impact: AT&T will finance the deal through existing cash and borrowing, expecting a temporary rise in its debt-to-EBITDA ratio, while maintaining its 2025 financial guidance including a $20 billion share repurchase program.
Market Reaction: Following the announcement, EchoStar Corp. shares surged by over 80%, while AT&T shares experienced a slight decline; both companies are positioned to strengthen their market presence against competitors like Verizon and T-Mobile.
Wall Street analysts forecast SATS stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for SATS is 127.00 USD with a low forecast of 110.00 USD and a high forecast of 158.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
5 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast SATS stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for SATS is 127.00 USD with a low forecast of 110.00 USD and a high forecast of 158.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
3 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 122.500
Low
110.00
Averages
127.00
High
158.00
Current: 122.500
Low
110.00
Averages
127.00
High
158.00
TD Cowen
Gregory Williams
Buy
maintain
$100 -> $158
2026-01-07
Reason
TD Cowen
Gregory Williams
Price Target
$100 -> $158
AI Analysis
2026-01-07
maintain
Buy
Reason
TD Cowen analyst Gregory Williams raised the firm's price target on EchoStar to $158 from $100 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The company should report upside results in Q4, though its "fundamentals will likely take a backseat for yet another quarter," the analyst tells investors in a research note. TD cites an updated sum-of-the-parts analysis for EchoStar's assets since the company began its spectrum sale process, particularly its stake in SpaceX, for the target boost.
UBS
Neutral
maintain
$128 -> $125
2025-12-23
Reason
UBS
Price Target
$128 -> $125
2025-12-23
maintain
Neutral
Reason
UBS lowered the firm's price target on EchoStar to $125 from $128 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. Following the sale of 75%-80% of its spectrum portfolio for roughly $43B, EchoStar has pivoted from a wireless operator to an investment company, prompting a valuation shift that assigns $11B to remaining spectrum based on precedents, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Its 3% SpaceX stake, now implied at about $22B or roughly $65 per share using an $800B valuation, represents significant upside versus prior marks, the firm says.
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Citi
Michael Rollins
Neutral
maintain
$87 -> $111
2025-12-22
Reason
Citi
Michael Rollins
Price Target
$87 -> $111
2025-12-22
maintain
Neutral
Reason
Citi analyst Michael Rollins raised the firm's price target on EchoStar to $111 from $87 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm is citing the recent press reports that placed an upcoming secondary share sale at a potential private valuation for SpaceX at $800B, the analyst tells investors in a research note. This valuation for SpaceX would be twice the pre-tax value of the cost basis for its SpaceX shares anticipated to be received by EchoStar upon closing its pending spectrum sales, the firm added.
Deutsche Bank
NULL -> Buy
maintain
$97 -> $131
2025-12-19
Reason
Deutsche Bank
Price Target
$97 -> $131
2025-12-19
maintain
NULL -> Buy
Reason
Deutsche Bank raised the firm's price target on EchoStar to $131 from $97 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm sees 28% upside potential in the shares on "clear catalysts" from a potential sale of EchoStar's AWS-3 paired spectrum. Other catalysts include the company reaching settlements with tower providers, a SpaceX initial public offering, and a resolution of the Dish creditor lawsuit, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Deutsche continues to believe that Verizon and T-Mobile are interested in Echostar's paired AWS-3 licenses.
About SATS
EchoStar Corporation is a holding company. The Company is a provider of technology, networking services, television entertainment and connectivity, offering consumer, enterprise, operator and government solutions worldwide under its EchoStar, Boost Mobile, Sling TV, DISH TV, Hughes, HughesNet, HughesON, and JUPITER brands. Its business segments include Pay-TV, Wireless and Broadband and Satellite Services. Its Pay-TV segment provides video services in the United States through its DISH and the SLING brands. Its Wireless segment provides wireless communication services and products. This segment offers wireless services for 5G VoNR and 5G broadband service to Americans, as well as a competitive portfolio of wireless devices. It offers nationwide wireless services to subscribers primarily under the Boost Mobile and Gen Mobile brands. Its Broadband and Satellite Services segment offers broadband satellite technologies and broadband Internet products and services to consumer customers.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
